George Washington has been called the Father of Our Country. He was born February 22, 1732 at Wakefield on Pope's Creek Farm in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Washington took the oath as major in the Virginia militia in 1753. He was instrumental in the French and Indian War. He carried the message to the French in western Pennsylvania warning them to leave the Ohio Valley. On July 4, 1754, he was forced to surrender Fort Necessity to French attackers. Between 1754-1758 he fought in the War and rose to the rank of Colonel in command of the Virginia militia.
On January 6, 1759, he married Martha Dandridge Custis. (The wife of this writer is directly related to her.) He lived a good life with her at Mt. Vernon, Virginia.
From 1774-75, he was a member of the Virginia delegation to the First and Second Continental Congress. Washington became Commander of the Continental Army throughout the Revolutionary War of 1775-1783. After the War inwhich he distinguished himself with his men and countrymen.
In 1787, Washington became President of the Constitutional Convention that would draw up the Constitution of the United States. These men drew up the most important document mankind has ever created for a free republic.
George Washington became the first President of the United States and he would lay the framework for a nation that would be looked to for hope by the entire world. He served from 1789-1797 as the first President of the United States. After he left the Presidency, he was commissioned on July 4, 1798 as a Lt. General and Commander in Chief of the United States Army when war threatened with France.
The father of our nation passed away on December 4, 1799 at his home at Mt. Vernon, Virginia. "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none."
Reference:
1. History of the Presidency, 2000, Compilation.
